Windmill.



' K Patentad Dec. 23, IQGZ.

J. G. BENSTER. v

WINDMLL (Application led Nov.' 11, 1901.)

3.Sheets-Sheet l.

v Patented Dec. 23,' |902. J. G. BENSTER.

WINDMILL.

(Application filed Nov. 11, 1901,.)

` 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

ATTOHNEKS THE cams Firms cc. nluroumm. wasrnuafcn. n4 c.

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WITNESSES d i l lo. 716,658. Y Patented neo. 23, 1902.

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W IN D M ILL.

(Application led Nav. 11, 1901.)

3 SheeVts- Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

4NVENTOH A noms/sys Nits *rares varnNr OFFICE.

JOSHUA G. BENSTER, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS.

WINDNHLL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,658,`dated December 23, 1902. Application filed November 1l, 1901. Seria-l No. 81,819. (No model.)

To all whom, it' may cm2/cern:

Be it known that I, JOSHUA G. BENsTuR, a citizen oiA the United States, and a resident of Moline, in the county of Rock Island and State oi' Illinois,have invented a new and Improved Windmill, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved wind mill which is simple and durable in construction, effective in operation, and arranged to insure a direct and full transmission ot' the power developed in the wheel.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate correspending parts in all the views.

Figure l is a face view of the improvement with parts of the Wind-wheel omitted. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same Von the line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the Wind-wheel hub and adjacent parts, the section being on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the gearing for the vane, the section being on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspectiveview of the counterbalancing-gear for the vane. Fig. Gis asimilar view of part ot' the vane-gear Wheel. Fig. 7 is a like view of the rack for the vane-setting device. Fig. 8 is an enlarged face view of part of the wind-wheel. Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the same, and Fig, lO is a plan view of the Wiring for the outer ends of the'wings of the wind-wheel. Y

A hollow post or mast A is held in a tower or other support B or set on a suitable foundation, and on the upper end of the said hollow post is mounted to rotate the vertical hub C' of a head or'frame C, carrying a horizontally-disposed pin D, on which turns the hubY E' of an eccentric disk or convolute E, the said hub. E' having arms E2 (see Fig. 3) for straddling some of the spokes F' of the windwheel F, the hub F2 of which is secured to the hub E', so that when the Wind-wheel F is rotated by the action of the wind the eccentric disk or convolute E rotates with the windwheel. The disk E is in peripheral engagement at top and bottom with friction-rollers G G', jonrnaled in a yoke H, secured at its upper end to the top of an elliptical spring I, and the lower e'nd of the yoke is secured to the top of a second elliptical spring I', both springs being attached at their bottoms to the head C. The spring I is in vertical alinement with the disk E, the rollers G G', and the pump-rod J, connected with the lower end of the yoke H and extending loosely down through the post A. The otherl spring I' is somewhat in front of the pump-rod J, as shown in Fig. 2, and both springs I and I' serve to carry the weight of the yoke, the pump-rod, and parts connected therewith, so as to relieve the wind-wheel of its weight. The wind-wheel F rotates and the disk or convolute E turns with it whemanx 11p-anddown movement is given to the yokeC and the pump-rod J by the action of the or convolute E on the rollers G G', journal in the said yoke. When the yoke H moves downward, the springs'I and I' are bent, and when the yoke moves upward the springs 4I and I' assist the wheel F to move the yoke in the upward direction. Thus during the time the pump does the pumping-that is,

during the upward stroke of the yoke H- theA springs I andgI' assist in this Work, while the compression of the springs takes place during the downward stroke of the yoke, and consequently the Wheel F is counterbalanced as nearly as possible to insure a uniform Working of the windmill. A vane K for folding the wheel F in or out of the Wind is provided with an arm K', riveted or otherwise fastened to an arm L' of a bevel gear-wheel L, having a sectional hub L2, engaging a bearing C2 on the huh C' of the head C. The bevel gear-wheel L is in mesh with a bevel gear-wheel N, having a hub N', mounted to turn on a pin C3, projecting rearwardly from the hub G', and the said gearwheel Nris provided with a radial arm N2, carrying a weight'N, adjustably held on the arm N2 and adapted to be secured thereon by a set-screw N4. (See Fig. 2.) By the action of this weight N3 on the gear-wheel N the latter turns the bevel gear-wheel L to such a position that the arms L' K' extend ICQ rearwardly in vertical alin'ement with the axis of the wind-Wheel F, so that the vane K holds the wheel into the wind.

In order to vshift the vane K to throw thev wheel F out of the wind, the following device is provided: On the bevel gear-wheel N is formed or secured a spur-wheel N5, in mesh with a rack O, extending vertically and having a grooved arm O, engaging a bearing C4 on the hub C', (see Figs. 1 and 4,) and on the lower end of this arm O is arranged asectional hub O2, engaging a shifting collar P, mounted to slide vertically on a key A', held on the mast A below the hub C', as plainly indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The collar P is provided with depending rods Q under the control of the operator to pull the collar P downward, and thereby cause a downward sliding of the rack O, so that the latter imparts a turning motion to the spur-wheel N5 and the gear-wheel N to swing the weighted arm N2 in an upward direction. The turning of the gear-wheel N causes rotation of the bevel gear-wheel L, so that the arm K is swung to one side to move the vane K in a like direction, thus turning the wheel F out of the wind. The swinging motion given to the gear-wheel L, arm K', and vane K is about a quarter-turn, and in order to limit the turning motion of the gear-Wheel L lugs L3 are provided (see Figs. 1 and 4) to engage a stop C, formed on the head C. (See Fig. 2.) Vthen the operator releases the rods Q, the weight N3 causes a downward swinging of the arm N2 to turn the gear-wheel N back to its former position and in doing so turns the gear-wheel L to bring the vane K in position for holding the wheel F into the wind. This return movement of the gear-wheel N causes the gear-wheel N5 to slide the rack O upward back to its former position. The vane-arm K is provided with a second arm K2, extending forwardly and mounted to turn on a pin C7 near the upper end of the head C.

The construction of the wind-wheel F is as follows: The spokes F,previously mentioned, carry concentric rings F3 Fl for supporting the wings or sails F5, preferably made of wood and engaging` angular slots F6, formed in the said rings F3 and F1. (See Figs. 8 and 9.) The material of the rings for forming the slots FG is struck up to form anges F7, adapted to engage the outer faces of the wings F5, the anges F7 of the inner ring F4 terminating in tongues F8, bent transversely across the openings of the slots FG and against the outer edge of the wings, so as to securely hold the same in position without requiringscrews,bo1ts,orothersimilarfastening devices. Thewingsareincidentallyclamped tight in the slots of the outer ring F5 when bending the tongues F8 of the inner ring firmly against the edges of the rings, as mentioned. The extreme outer ends of the wings are bound by wires F, extending in concentric circles at the outer and inner edges of the wings, (cee Figs. 1 and 10,) the wires being connected by eyes or rings F10 with the material ofthe Wings, as Will be readily understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 10. A wind-wheel constructed in the manner described is very durable, and incase a wing breaks it can be readily replaced by a new one without taking the rest of the wheel apart.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In awindmill, the combination ofa head, a reciprocatory yoke having means adapted for the connection of a pump-rod, elliptical springs operatively connected to opposite end portions of said yoke and secured to the head, said springs serving to counterbalance the weight of the yoke and the pump-rod and to impart an upward initial impulse thereto, and a wheel-driven shaft having means for imparting movement to the yoke.

2. In a windmill, the combination of a head provided with a vertical guideway, and with upper and lowerspring-seats, a yoke slidably confined in said guideway and having means for the connection of a pump-rod thereto, va wheel-driven shaft adapted to actuatesaid yoke, and counterpoised springs secured to the upper and lower spring-seats of the head and operatively connected with and yieldable to the travel of said yoke, said springs serving to counterb'alance the weight of the yoke and the pump-rod.

3. In a windmill, a reciprocatory yoke having means adapted for the connection of a pump-rod, and a counterpoise comprising two members operatively connected to the opposite end portions of said yoke and yieldable to the tra-vel of the same, said counterpoise members cooperating to balance the weight of the yoke and the pump-rod, and adapted to impart an initial impulse in an upward direction thereto, combined with a wheel-driven shaft, and means connecting said shaft with said yoke.

4. In a windmill, the combination with a reciprocatory yoke, a shaft, and connections between said yoke and the shaft, of a head on which the shaft is mounted, and counterpoise-springs carried by the head on the opposite sides of the shaft and engaging with the opposite end portions of said yoke, said springs serving to counterbalance the weight of the yoke and the devices associated therewith, and to impart an initial upward impulse thereto.

5. In a windmill, the combination of ahead, a Wheel-shaft, an eccentric, a reciprocatory yoke carrying spaced rollers arranged to ride against said eccentric, and counterpoisesprings carried by the head and engaging with the yoke at points on opposite sides of the shaft, said springs serving to counterbalance the weight of the yoke and devices associated therewith, and to impart an initial impulse thereto in an upward direction.

6. A Windmill, having a hollow post, a wind- IOO IIO

Wheel head mounted to turn on the said hollow post, springs held on the said head, a yoke for direct connection with the pump-rod and carried by the said springs, a disk eccentric on the Wind-Wheel shaft and engaging traveling surfaces on the said yoke, a vane mounted to turn on the said head and having a bevel gear-wheel at its fulcrum end, a double gear- Wheel having a bevel gear-Wheel in mesh with the rst-named bevel gear-Wheel, and a rack mounted to slide on the said post and in mesh with a spur-Wheel on the said double gear- Wheel, as set forth.

'7. A Windmill, comprising a post, a Wind- Wheel head carrying the Wind Wheel and mounted to turn on the said post, a vane mounted to turn on the said head and having a bevel gear-Wheel mounted to turn on the hub of the said head, a double gear-Wheel having a bevel gear-wheel in mesh with the said bevel gear-Wheel on the vane, and a rack mounted to slide on the said post and in mesh with a spur-wheel on the said double gear- Wheel, as set forth.

8. A Wind-Wheel, having supporting-rings formed with angular slots for the Wings, and integral tongues at the slots of one of the rings and adapted to be bent across the entrances of the slots to secure the Wings in place, as set forth.

9. A wind-Wheel, having concentric supporting-rings formed with angular slots for the Wings, flanges struck up from the rings at one side of the slots to form a seat for the Wings, and tongues integral with the said `lianges of the inner ring and adapted to extend over the entrances of the slots to engage the outer edges of the Wings, as set forth.

l0. In a windmill, the combination with a mast, a grooved head, a vane, and a Wheel,

of a split or divided gear loosely tted to the head within the grooved portion thereof and made fast with the vane, a double gear mounted on the head for one gear member thereof to mesh With the vane-gear and provided with a counterpoise, a rack meshing with the other gear member of said double gear, and external operating means for the rack.

1l. In a Windmill, the combination with a mast, a head, a Wheel, and a pivoted vane, of a vane-actuated gear, a counterpoised gear, a rack arranged to actuate said gears, a slidable adjusting element for actuating the rack, and externally-located operating means connected to said adjusting element.

l2. In a Windmill, the combination with a mast, a head, a Wheel, and a vane, of a connterpoised gear mounted on the head and operatively connected with the vane to hold the latter in an active position, a grooved collar slidable on the mast, a rack meshing with the gear and having a foot tted loosely to the grooved collar, and external operating means for said collar.

13. In a Windmill, the combination with a. mast, a vane, and a head, of counterpoised gearing mounted on the head, an adjustingcollar slidable on the mast, a rack slidably confined on the head and meshing with one member of the gearing and having a loose connection with said collar, and means for adjusting the collar.

14. In a Windmill, the combination With a mast, a head and a vane, of a gear attached to the vane and loosely itted on the head, projections spaced on the gear, a stop on the head arranged between the projections, and a counterpoised gear meshing with the vaneactuatcd gear.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

' JOSHUA G. BENSTER. Witnesses:

WM. A. ALSTERLUND,

ARTHUR CooK. 

